"The tradition of Congress of providing support for Americans in times of crisis, no matter where they live across this great country, lives on in today's vote in the House of Representatives," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Republican, said in a joint statement.

The House struck down a proposed amendment by some conservative lawmakers to offset the $17bn bill with 1.6% across-the-board spending cuts for 2013.

"This is not a poison pill," South Carolina Republican Representative Mick Mulvaney, who supported the amendment, told the Associated Press prior to the vote.

"It's not designed for delay... I just want to try and find a way to pay for [the aid]."

Others argued the $34bn longer-term spending measure, offered by New Jersey Republican Rodney Frelinghuysen, funds too many projects that should be paid through non-emergency bills.

"While my heart goes out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy, it is unacceptable for Congress to use this disaster as a justification for passing a bill chock-full of pork barrel spending," Georgia Republican Paul Broun said on Monday.

The White House had also urged Congress to pass the bill without offsetting cuts.

"Providing federal funding for response, recovery and mitigation following Hurricane Sandy will maintain the nation's tradition of pulling together to help one another in times of greatest need," the White House said earlier.

Republican House Speaker John Boehner scheduled the votes on Sandy aid after declining to consider a $60bn Senate measure in the last Congress, allowing the legislation to expire.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers from hard-hit states pilloried Mr Boehner for not holding the vote after the last-minute fiscal cliff bill.